More people are going hungry this Thanksgiving across the nation than ever before, but one local church is rising to serve the need.

Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church will be serving and delivering 50 meals to the elderly and needy tomorrow.

“We had done Thanksgiving meals in the past but for some reason stopped but we are doing it again this year,“ said coordinator Mary Catherine Reynolds. “We have so much to be thankful for that we don't want to be at our homes eating and knowing some are not.“

“We want to share our blessings,“ said member Monica Wicker.

The Council on Aging and Church worked up a list of those receiving Meals On Wheels who would not otherwise get a hot Thanksgiving meal.

Volunteers have already began their cooking and will meet at Lewis Memorial at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day to put the plates together. Then church members will deliver the meals.

The children of the church have also gotten into the spirit by making seasonal napkin and silverware holders to accompany the dinners.

The plates will be laden with turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, pie and pound cake. A local milk truck driver has also donated milk to accompany the meal.

Wicker says the meal would not be possible without a lot of help.

“We are thankful to all who have contributed to the project. It takes a lot of people and we are glad to have a lot of support and help from the community,“ said Wicker.

Reynolds praised church workers for volunteering to first dish up the meals and deliver them to the community, before celebrating Thanksgiving with their own families.